As SU’s NCAA bracket goes through its annual crash and burn phase (see Arizona losing to Xavier), I did want to comment on Michigan’s late season run which ended last night in its loss to Oregon.  It was a choppy game and Michigan’s offense was definitely not in synch – in large part to Oregon’s defense.  But despite everything, their best player had an open look to win it at the buzzer but his shot fell short and that’s that.

But for SU, I will remember these last 2 weeks for a long time as well as the whole season.  This was not a great team and there were many games in the first 2/3 of the season that were borderline unwatchable.  You have to give credit to John Beilein for righting the ship and getting his players to all be on the same page and play selflessly down the stretch.  The Big Ten Tournament was great – 4 games in 4 days and SU still believes that teams that win their conference tournaments pay the price down the road with fatigue in the NCAAs.  I really enjoyed watching these games and will miss Derrick Walton, Jr.  He has a shot to play in the NBA but he will never be in a situation like he had in college.  The more I watch the college game, it just highlights how selfish the pro game is and how for most teams (not all), one player’s success comes at the expense of a teammate.  That sense of pulling for each other, not worrying about who gets what points as long as we win – well, outside of Golden State and San Antonio, not sure I see that anywhere else.  SU says that’s why the one and done players ought to stay in school a little longer to at least, maybe, experience a real sense of team.  Anyway, while I am very disappointed – “SAD!” – this was a great stretch run.

Did anyone catch the end of the West Virginia – Gonzaga game?  I have seen 6th grade boys rec basketball teams execute better than Coach Bob Huggins’ Mountaineers.  Down 3 with about 35 seconds left, one player and I mean one player dribbles the ball, shoots a terrible 3, gets the ball back on an offensive rebound, throws up another terrible 3, gets the ball back again on an offensive rebound, and then dribbles down the clock to shoot again, can’t get it off, tries to pass and the clock expires.  First of all, they didn’t need to shoot a 3, second, you do have teammates, and third, why doesn’t West Virginia ever recruit guys who can actually shoot?

Kansas is peaking now.  They will roll over Oregon who isn’t that good.  Gonzaga has escaped its last 2 games but all you have to do is advance.  No style points here.

It looks like Yankees’ starting shortstop, Didi Gregorius, will be out at least 6 weeks and possibly 1/4 of the season with a shoulder injury.  He was a consistently good hitter last season and made up for the lack of offense from several of the more veteran Yankee regulars.  Clearly not the news Yankee fans want to hear.  But SU says maybe something positive will come out of this.

For example, the Yankees just sent down 20-year old Gleyber Torres to their Class AA Trenton Club.  After all, he had only hit .444 in spring training with some power.  The betting is that he will only spend a short time in Trenton and then get elevated to Scranton.  Assuming he has success, SU says bring him up to the parent Club as soon as possible and let him cut his teeth up here.  By then, Didi will be back in the line up and Chase Headley can then have some competition for at bats at 3rd base.

The injury also creates an opportunity for Rob Refsnyder who has made the least of them over the last couple of years.  He has not shined in spring training and rumor is that he is on the trading block.

Meanwhile, Greg Bird has been named the starting first baseman and promptly went out and hit his 5th and 6th home runs of the spring season today.  The dude is hitting over .400.  Contrast that with Chris Carter who was 0 for 3 today with 3 strikeouts and has a spring training average of .108 with 4 hits and 20 strikeouts.  I know.  Shocking!  Who would have thought that when they signed him?  SU says it’s time to go all in on the youngsters.  Someone will take Headley in a trade and you can bat Ellsbury 10th or 11th in the lineup.  80 wins will be a real success this season.  Don’t be like the Knicks.  Go young in a big way and the fans will get behind the team.  The Carter signing was stupid.  Matt Holliday has had a good spring and if he can be somewhat productive, that’s fine.  I know some question Bird’s upside (see frequent SU commenter S. Goldman), but remember that Don Mattingly didn’t have great power numbers in the minors either.  Bird is the real deal and should play every day – no platoon needed.

SU has zero interest in watching the veterans anymore and that includes Brett Gardner. They are not interesting.  SU is afraid that Girardi will rely on his veterans come April and the hot hitting youngsters will find their way to the minors or to the bench.   Time will tell.

As many in the SU intergalactic subscriber base are aware, SU is all in on Michigan football and basketball.  I watch just about all the games and really enjoy how Coach John Beilein runs his program.  He plays a motion offense, emphasizes team ball, yells but doesn’t curse along the lines of Joe Girardi and recruits players who will be successful in his system.  They are generally competitive, get out-rebounded every game, find a way into the NCAA field come tournament time and as a fan, provide an enjoyable couple of hours.  Sure, there are many frustrating moments but during this period of the awful Knicks, Jeremy Lin’s injuries and Novack Djokovic’s slump, for SU they are must see tv.

Yesterday’s win over Louisville was as rewarding a win for SU since the Elite Eight win over Kansas back in 2013 in their NCAA finals run.  Louisville was a Final Four caliber team and Michigan battled its way back in the 2nd half and found a way.  This last week of basketball including the 4 wins in the Big Ten Tournament and now these 2 NCAA victories will be lasting memories coming on the heels of the plane crash.  They have a shot against Oregon who is missing their big man and then a match up vs. Purdue or Kansas.  Why not them?

Northwestern was gifted a win vs. Vanderbilt with the intentional foul and then fell victim to the missed goal tending call in a furious rally late vs. Gonzaga.  SU felt badly but the reality is that you cannot get caught up in the officiating.  The quality of the officiating in the NCAAs is really uneven and you can either get frustrated or you find a way.  The good teams find a way even when it looks like you will be hosed the entire game.  SU believes the refs will look to even up the calls at half time no matter which way things are going.

Going into the Sweet Sixteen, it’s pretty wide open now.  Kansas has that look but they go through long stretches of terrible shot selection.  And how about Kentucky?  John Calipari is a great recruiter but does he run any offense?  His teams play like Mt. Vernon’s high school team: throw up any shot and crash the offensive glass.  SU has them in the Final Four but they were awful yesterday.  Watch out for Wisconsin who plays a style no one wants to go up against.  The Big Ten has 3 teams in the Sweet Sixteen — good for them.

Have you ever seen a longer last 5 minutes of a game than Duke – South Carolina last night with all of the foul calls?  SU has a theory that a team takes on the attitude of its coach when it comes to arguing foul calls.  The more the coach complains, the more the player whine.  Coach K was going after the refs and so were his players last night and it just doesn’t help.  Duke was also playing in Greenville, SC and that was like a road game for them.

Finally, SU read an article in today’s New York Times about the 20-year old prospect Torres who they got from the Cubs in the Chapman deal.  They may even bring him up in the summer and have him playing 2nd, short and 3rd base.  Could he be up the replacement for Chase Headley?  This could be very, very good.

SU has been on the road for a spell which explains the radio silence on the blog.  But of course, we need to weigh in now on our fearless NCAA predictions for the men.  A few thoughts:

• SU is very fired up about Michigan’s Big Ten Tournament win and running the table of 4 wins in 4 days.  They played the best they had played all season, and Derrick Walton Jr. should be an NBA draft pick come June.  I generally don’t like teams that win their tournament in the NCAAs as it requires a lot of energy.  But I am thinking differently here with the Wolverines.
• Duke is the trendy pick.  SU is not seeing it.
• I actually don’t have a good feel for the winner this year.  It just doesn’t seem like there is a clear favorite out there.
• UCLA is interesting and a lot of people like North Carolina.  Kansas is always a threat but I feel they win despite Bill Self and his coaching.

I am high on Michigan making a run in the tournament.  I think they will beat both Oklahoma State and Louisville.  The team to watch is Arizona which has some edge to them and is coming off a Pac 12 Tournament victory.  I also think Kentucky is ready to make a run here.  SU’s final four: Michigan; Kentucky; Villanova; and Arizona.  And it will be Arizona over Kentucky in the finals.  So, there you have it.  What say you?  As always, SU will give credit where credit is due!

As we gear up for the NCAAs and the start of baseball season, a few random thoughts and observations this weekend:

• SU loved this piece by Andrew Marchand of espn.com about Jacoby Ellsbury having possible the worst free agent contract in Yankee history.  SU is no Ellsbury fan and it’s depressing that he has 4 more years at $22 million a year left on his deal.  But Marchand lays it out pretty starkly.  I am guessing he won’t be getting that invitation to Ellsbury’s Christmas party this year.

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/95784/is-jacoby-ellsbury-the-yankees-worst-free-agent-signing-ever

• Just read that Noah Syndergaard signed this year with the Mets for $605,500.  This should make Dellen Betances feel better.
• Did you see Derrick Rose’s response to a question about whether he likes playing in the triangle offense?  In case you missed it: “S—, do I have a choice? Do I have a choice?”  SU loves the honesty.  I guess I have two reactions.  First, listen to the coach and they are paying you a lot of money so do your job.  Second, why is it that no player, and I mean no player, likes to play in this system in today’s game?  I think that is more telling and Phil Jackson is from a by-gone era.
• At the end of last night’s Knick game, Melo took a game tying attempt with 2 players draped all over him and his teammates open all around the court.  The fact that all of them had had better shooting nights did not come into play.  SU asks this question: if Porzingis is the future, shouldn’t they run plays so that he is taking these shots?  Or is he taking any shot in the last 3 minutes?  Rose and Anthony freeze him out all the time at the end of the game.  On the other hand, SU likes the strategy of going for the 1st round pick and tanking the rest of the season.  Keep it going.
• SU is very concerned with my man Novak Djokovic.  He lost a quarter finals match to Kyrgios this week and has really lost his nerve on the big points.  He is just keeping the ball in play these days rather than going for it.  Boris Becker had him playing more aggressively but he has reverted to playing defense which doesn’t cut it against a hot player on any given day.  He needs to figure this out.
• Greg Bird hit 3 home runs this week.  There is major relief in Yankee World unless the plan is to send him to the minors and go with Chris Carter to start the season.  Stranger things happen every year in Tampa.  But SU will hope cooler heads will prevail.

SU has not rooted for the Knicks since the Isiah Thomas era so the fact that the Knicks are never competitive and boring to watch is a non-factor to me.  But I have subscribed to the NBA Season Pass for years in order to watch other teams and certain players.  But I have reached a point where I rarely even tune into that channel anymore.  Let’s explore why that is:

• Absence of team ball.  I think there may be more superstar players today than at any time but the style of play is too oriented to 1 – on – 1.  Golden State, Cleveland, San Antonio all play the right way and even Denver moves the ball.  I like the faster pace that we see today but you still have to get on D.
• The next tier teams are dominated by superstars who also tend to take about 25 shots a game.  Boston has Isiah Thomas, Toronto has DeRozan, Houston has Harden which is all well and good.  But I still do not find it entertaining to see one player dominate.
• SU is getting old. May be becoming cranky and less tolerant.  But I don’t think so.
• It’s a Star league and this is what the fans want.  I think that is likely true.  People like to see the 45 – 50 point outbursts by one player.  The 25-point quarters by a single player.
• Last night, I watched a few minutes of the Sixers – Wizards.  I like to check on Nik Stauskus.  Aside from the fact that the ball rarely finds him on offense, I was impressed with the speed of John Wall and he can go coast to coast in a blink of the eye.  But that’s all it is: no one else touches the ball on offense.  The Wizards got blown out.  So, does that really work?  If one player dominates and others can’t get in the flow, is that the way to play?
• Final point: SU is a big basketball fan.  I want better games and better teams that are fun to watch.  I think this is a problem.

All of which means we need to focus on baseball and of course, the NCAAs in March.  SU liked the comments from Jeff, Andy and Steve from yesterday.  Always good to see Met fans disparage the Yankee players.  SU has no problem with that but note to E. Steele, Jeff, and others: how about a little spring training intelligence from Port St. Lucie about the Mets?

I will give you my take.  No way the starters stay healthy – never happens.  Bruce needs to have a big year but I don’t feel like he has the mental make-up to play in NY.  Their roster is very solid and they should be competitive. Famillia is a must in the bullpen and who knows if he gets the Chapman treatment with a 50-game suspension.  And with their pitching staff, they should be in every game.  SU believes that they will once again dominate the back page of the NY tabloids as the Yankees are what they are.

For the Yankees, the key to watch come opening day is whether Cashman keeps the youngsters on the roster or seems to go with the wily veterans.  The other key is to see where Chase Headley hits in the line up.  If he is batting 7th or higher: 75-win season.  8th or lower (and with Ellsbury right behind him), there is hope.  You can also follow this in spring training.

Thoughts?  I know there are many NBA fans out there.  What am I missing?

SU was very excited to see this from the Yankees’ first spring training game:

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=18758672

Supposedly, Judge has altered his batting stance during the off season and will be cutting down on those strikeouts.  Of course, it’s just February but we need to think positively.

SU returns you to your regular Knicks’ programming.

We are one hour away from the NBA trade deadline and the latest on the proposed deal to send Derrick Rose to Minnesota for Ricky Rubio is this from Ian Begley at espn.com:

One holdup in the Minnesota talks for Derrick Rose has been that the Knicks hadn’t budged on their insistence that a second piece be added to the deal in a return for Ricky Rubio – a player or a draft pick, according to a source. With one hour to go, it will be interesting to see if the Knicks lower their demands or if Minnesota acquiesces.

SU says make the deal.  While Rubio can’t shoot from the outside, he is a pass first point guard which would greatly benefit Porzingis.  Rose is a “shoot first, I will pass the ball only if triple teamed on my way to the rim point guard.”  Rose will get his points but really seems to have no interest in passing.  Great offensive player with limited defense these days.

It’s a fair trade.  Don’t screw it up.

Let’s face it: February is just not prime time sports viewing but of course, that all changes in March with the NCAAs.  A few random thoughts for your consideration:

• NBA trade deadline is tomorrow.  The Sacramento Kings are able to move Boogie Cousins in what most feel was a terrible deal for them.  This guy is toxic.  Extremely bright, personable and a lunatic.  They got some high draft picks in return though.  Keep in mind this is a team that also had Isiah Thomas now starring for the Celtics.  They had two superstars but couldn’t make it work – not even close.
• Jeannie Buss fires her brother at the Lakers.  Brings in Magic Johnson and hires a former agent to be the GM.  Magic is a busy guy but if nothing else, he will attract free agents to the Lakers.  That alone has to be worth something.
• The Knicks are now rumored to be looking to move Derrick Rose (to the T’Wolves for Ricky Rubio), Kyle O’Quinn and even Brandon Jennings.  The Knicks have a lot of pieces that must be attractive to playoff contending teams.  How does Carmelo Anthony view this?  If they go back to square one in terms of rebuilding, does he really want to go through that?  There are still rumors of him moving to the Celtics, Clippers and Cavs but hard to see a path for that to happen.  The reality is that he will be satisfied with going through the motions of taking 25 shots a game and playing out the string.  SU says that is interesting.  Some players burn for a chance to win a championship while others take the money and “get theirs” (as they say).  I think that is Melo: good guy, stands up to the media to answer questions but in the end, will retire without a ring.  Hope I am wrong and really, really, really hope he approves a trade in the next 24 hours.
• It’s interesting how A-Rod is very active in Yankees’ camp and Derek Jeter is no where to be seen.  Going forward, it seems A-Rod will be much more of a presence.  He is apparently working on a TV deal with the YES Network which would be great.  Surely he can move ahead of Al Leiter in the color man rotation.  We have all seen enough of the circle change grip on TV.
• Lots of coverage and comments about the Dellin Betances arbitration decision and Yankee President Randy Levine’s trashing of Betances and his agent.  The choice was $5 million or $3 million and Betances lost.  SU says set-up guys, even great ones like Betances, are not getting that type of money.  But there was no need for Levine to do the dance in the end zone and spike the ball in his face.  Time heals all wounds and Betances will get his contract as a closer in a couple of years – but not in NY.  In the meantime, he needs to keep his arm healthy and learn how to throw to different bases.  This will be a non-story come opening day.
• Finally, SU caught 15 minutes of the Mariano Rivera Yankeeography last night.  What a classy guy.  They had some great behind the scenes shots and conversations – he is what he is all the time.  One for the ages.